Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jill said 10:09AM on 5-07-2008
Now he is gross. Why isn't he #1. This is about the one guy I can't stand the most.
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Rebecca said 10:29AM on 5-07-2008
I love him... He has no shame and goes after anyone and everyone....
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Perezette said 2:59PM on 5-07-2008
I looooooove Perez!! He isn't afraid to tell it like it is and he celebrates his queerness!!!! Best website on the net!!!!!
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lsdb said 2:56PM on 5-07-2008
This person has to much time on his hands! But I must have to much too!
you should not try to hurt other people to try to get famous,
no one likes when your mother showed your bare bottom when
you were a baby to others respect that idea!
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Brandon said 3:19PM on 5-07-2008
Perez Hilton is a walking talking stereo type who makes the rest of the Gays look bad
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Ridgsport said 1:13PM on 5-09-2008
You gotta be kidding.. What a fruit!!
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unacubiche said 8:42PM on 6-01-2008
Perez use to be fun, now he is just out to hurt people, I for one have stopped going to his website.
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jj said 10:50PM on 7-15-2008
wow, right about now im sure he's wishing that fake flower was a nice big pole...lol
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hannah avery said 12:14PM on 8-22-2008
mann. dude i love this guy. he totally rocks!!! Just because he hurts a few feelings doesn't mean anything. Thats his job and he's good at it.
So what.
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Chuck Barlow said 10:31PM on 8-22-2008
The most annoying people have 1 thing in common, they are all homosexuals.
Rosie O Donnel is annoying everywhere she is, homosexuals are mental immoral degenerates who think they know everything and when you donot agree with them they get emotionaly physchotic and make a huge scene, but the thing of it is no wants to hear them.
Homosexuals go back to the closet, close the door, stay there, say nothing!
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Kali said 9:30PM on 9-08-2009
Just because a person is a homosexual doesn't mean they are "mental immoral degenerates".
People like Rosie and Perez are just bad stereotypes that seem to revel in being hated.
No one is like that in real life.
oxymoronicals said 6:29PM on 9-08-2009
he is not a stereotype (he proves that all gay people are fierce with words and not action!) and the straight people who do that are called democrats
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Alabamer Slamer said 7:51PM on 9-08-2009
Perez comes off mean spirited. I saw where some of the Black Eyed Peas entourage beat him up because he was talkin smack about them. Perez posted a video where he was crying about it and he was the victim. I gotta say this if your gonna talk sh#$ don't think everyone is just gonna take it. He talked sh$# to the wrong people and they doled out some street justice. He got his ass beat and even though it was assault it just shows your not immune too an ass whipping. In the real world talk sh#$ and you better expect eventually someone will get in your face and get medival on your ass, thats reality. I'm not saying it's right but that's the way it is.
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